7 nov 2018
Dozens of Israeli soldiers accompanied many colonialist settlers’ buses into the northern West Bank city of Nablus, to visit a historic site, and invaded many neighborhoods in the city to remove the Palestinians from the streets, before clashing with dozens of youngsters, who hurled stones at them, while the soldiers fired live rounds, gas bombs, concussion grenades and rubber-coated steel bullets, wounding at least twenty Palestinians.
Media sources in Nablus said many army jeeps invaded Amman Street, and the areas surrounding Joseph’s Tomb, east of the city, and attacked dozens of protesters, wounding at least twenty.
The invasion was carried out by approximately 1000 settlers, in many buses, and dozens of soldiers in armored army vehicles.
They added that the soldiers fired a barrage of gas and concussion grenades at the protesters in addition to a number of homes and shops, causing fire in a shop for selling spare parts for vehicles.
The head of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) in Nablus, Ahmad Jibreel, said a young man suffered a fracture in the arm, while another young man was shot with live rounds in his leg, before the two were rushed to Rafidia Hospital.
He added that several Palestinians were shot with rubber-coated steel bullets, and fourteen others suffered the effects of teargas inhalation, and received the needed treatment by PRCS medics.
In related news, the soldiers stopped an ambulance transporting an elderly woman to a hospital, in the eastern part of Nablus, and forced the ambulance to turn around and look for alternate, longer roads.
Furthermore, the soldiers invaded the Dahia area in Nablus city, and Kafr Qalil town, east of the city, before invading the home of Yasser Afeef Amer, and searched the property, in addition to occupying its rooftop to use it as a monitoring post.
The army also abducted a young man, identified as Ahmad Anan Mansour, 19, from his home in the city, after invading and reaching it.
The Patriarch Joseph is revered by Jews, Muslims, Christians and Samaritans, but Israel only allows Jews into the shrine, as they believe the tomb to be his final resting place.
Palestinians generally hold that the tomb is the funerary monument to Sheikh Yousef Dweikat, a local religious and social figure.
Media sources in Nablus said many army jeeps invaded Amman Street, and the areas surrounding Joseph’s Tomb, east of the city, and attacked dozens of protesters, wounding at least twenty.
The invasion was carried out by approximately 1000 settlers, in many buses, and dozens of soldiers in armored army vehicles.
They added that the soldiers fired a barrage of gas and concussion grenades at the protesters in addition to a number of homes and shops, causing fire in a shop for selling spare parts for vehicles.
The head of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) in Nablus, Ahmad Jibreel, said a young man suffered a fracture in the arm, while another young man was shot with live rounds in his leg, before the two were rushed to Rafidia Hospital.
He added that several Palestinians were shot with rubber-coated steel bullets, and fourteen others suffered the effects of teargas inhalation, and received the needed treatment by PRCS medics.
In related news, the soldiers stopped an ambulance transporting an elderly woman to a hospital, in the eastern part of Nablus, and forced the ambulance to turn around and look for alternate, longer roads.
Furthermore, the soldiers invaded the Dahia area in Nablus city, and Kafr Qalil town, east of the city, before invading the home of Yasser Afeef Amer, and searched the property, in addition to occupying its rooftop to use it as a monitoring post.
The army also abducted a young man, identified as Ahmad Anan Mansour, 19, from his home in the city, after invading and reaching it.
The Patriarch Joseph is revered by Jews, Muslims, Christians and Samaritans, but Israel only allows Jews into the shrine, as they believe the tomb to be his final resting place.
Palestinians generally hold that the tomb is the funerary monument to Sheikh Yousef Dweikat, a local religious and social figure.
31 oct 2018
A horde of Jewish settlers on Wednesday morning assaulted several Palestinian citizens and created loud noises at the Ibrahimi Mosque in the Old City of al-Khalil in the occupied West Bank.
Local sources told a reporter for the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that dozens of settlers placed loudspeakers in the Ibrahimi Mosque’s courtyards and embarked on dancing and singing.
They added that the settlers assaulted citizens living in nearby homes after they complained about the noisy party at the Mosque.
Citizens identified as Ya’qoub Abu Jihad, Khalil Jaber and Ismail al-Rajbi, who suffered bruises after the settlers physically assaulted them, were detained for several hours near the military watchtower in the Mosque.
Settlers also assaulted a storeowner called Abdul-Raouf al-Muhtasib, wreaked havoc on his store and tried to set it on fire.
The settlers later assaulted Abdel Raouf al-Muhtasib, the owner of a commercial shop in the area, and destroyed his shop, tourist artifacts and ceramic goods. Some settlers tried to burn him.
Local sources told a reporter for the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that dozens of settlers placed loudspeakers in the Ibrahimi Mosque’s courtyards and embarked on dancing and singing.
They added that the settlers assaulted citizens living in nearby homes after they complained about the noisy party at the Mosque.
Citizens identified as Ya’qoub Abu Jihad, Khalil Jaber and Ismail al-Rajbi, who suffered bruises after the settlers physically assaulted them, were detained for several hours near the military watchtower in the Mosque.
Settlers also assaulted a storeowner called Abdul-Raouf al-Muhtasib, wreaked havoc on his store and tried to set it on fire.
The settlers later assaulted Abdel Raouf al-Muhtasib, the owner of a commercial shop in the area, and destroyed his shop, tourist artifacts and ceramic goods. Some settlers tried to burn him.
16 oct 2018
Maariv Hebrew newspaper showed that more than 1,100 fires have been reported in Israeli communities along Gaza borders since the start of the Great March of Return in late March.
The fires have burned nearly 12,000 dunums (120 hectares) of land near the Gaza Strip, more than half of the 22,000 dunums (2,200 hectares) of forested land in the region.
Palestinian protesters have started using flaming objects attached to kites to set fire to agricultural land just over the Gaza border in response of Israel’s tightening restrictions on Gaza.
Beginning in late March, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip since have been protesting on a daily basis along the border fence to call for lifting the blockade on the coastal enclave and allowing refugees to return to their lands from which they were expelled in 1948.
So far over 200 protesters including women and children have been killed by the Israeli army and nearly 20,000 injured.
The fires have burned nearly 12,000 dunums (120 hectares) of land near the Gaza Strip, more than half of the 22,000 dunums (2,200 hectares) of forested land in the region.
Palestinian protesters have started using flaming objects attached to kites to set fire to agricultural land just over the Gaza border in response of Israel’s tightening restrictions on Gaza.
Beginning in late March, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip since have been protesting on a daily basis along the border fence to call for lifting the blockade on the coastal enclave and allowing refugees to return to their lands from which they were expelled in 1948.
So far over 200 protesters including women and children have been killed by the Israeli army and nearly 20,000 injured.
8 oct 2018
The frequency of Israeli attacks and incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock is increasing in an attempt to create facts on the ground that embody the Israeli dream of building the so-called Temple.
By emptying Al-Aqsa Mosque from its worshipers and staff, the Israeli occupation authorities seek to create a suitable atmosphere for settlers to practice their rituals and hideous plans against the Mosque.
In a dangerous precedent, over the past week, Al-Aqsa guards detected a burning object approaching the shrine and the Dome of the Rock, fired from the Al-Buraq Wall, where extremist settlers have an increasingly strong presence.
Al-Aqsa guards told the PIC that the fire balloon was launched from Al-Buraq Wall towards the Dome of the Rock.
This is the first incident of its kind in which fire balloons were flown to target sanctuaries in Occupied Jerusalem. In other new incidents, drones were recently spotted taking photos of the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque.
However, it is not the first time that Al-Aqsa Mosque was the target of an arson attack by Israeli settlers.
On August 21, 1969, an Australian fanatic Jew, Denis Michael Rohan, entered Al-Aqsa Mosque from Al-Guanameh Gate and set fire to it.
At the time, the fire broke out in the eastern wing of the chapel on the southern side of Al-Aqsa Mosque. The fire reached the façades of the Mosque, its ceiling, carpets, rare decorations and the furniture and copies of holy Quran.
The fire also engulfed the historic pulpit of the Mosque, which was brought by Salah al-Din from the city of Aleppo, when Muslims restored the city of Jerusalem in 1187. The pulpit had been a beautiful landmark, as Sultan Nur al-Din Zanki ordered preparing it to be sent to Al-Aqsa after the liberation of the Mosque.
It was found that the incendiary substance was poured from inside and outside the chapel.
A serious incident
The Director of Al-Aqsa Mosque, Omar al-Kiswani told the Palestinian Information Center: “This is a dangerous incident, the source of which is Israeli extremists, and it will not pass unnoticed.”
He explained that these incidents are staged by Israeli extremists, adding: “We informed the Israeli police, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Jordan and its embassy, in addition to the Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf.”
A fierce onslaught
He noted that “The fierce onslaught against the city of Jerusalem has increased since the announcement of the US administration of its plan to transfer its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.”
He added that “the occupation authorities carry out an integrated plan to impose sovereignty over Al-Aqsa Mosque by force,” pointing out that it expels worshipers and arrests employees during the storming of Al-Aqsa by extremist settlers.”
Exiling employees and worshipers
The Israeli occupation authorities have recently banished more than 12 staff members of Al-Aqsa Mosque guards and staff for a period ranging from one to eight months.
According to PIC follow-up, the most prominent figures the Israeli authorities prevented from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque include: Rami al-Fakhouri, Mahmoud Abd al-Latif, Jihad Qaws, Rawhi al-Qulagasi, Raed al-Zaghir, Abu al-Thaer and Shadi Matar, who were barred from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque for six months, while Hamza al-Zaghir, Hussam Sidr, Mu'min Hashim, Jamil al-Abbasi and Yacoub al-Dabbagh were barred from the Mosque for three months.
Al-Kiswani called for increasing presence at Al-Aqsa Mosque to resist the Israeli incursions.
He stressed that prayer and presence are means of steadfastness to confront the Israeli attacks against Al-Aqsa.
Sharp increase
The Jerusalem Center for Israeli and Palestinian Studies said that Israeli settlers intensified their incursions into Al-Aqsa during the month of August (2018), with some 2,841 settlers entering its backyards, including Israeli intelligence, military personnel and students of the alleged temple.
According to a report, 2,247 settlers stormed Al-Aqsa in August, including 337 Israeli special forces and 67 Israeli intelligence agents, while 190 students from the so-called Students of the Temple group stormed Al-Aqsa courtyards.
According to the Jerusalem Center, 41,206 tourists entered Al-Aqsa during August.
In mid-August, Israeli occupation forces stormed Al-Aqsa courtyards and arrested six female worshipers from its yards. They later released them on condition that they are banned from the Mosque for varying periods.
The occupation authorities continue to deprive dozens of Jerusalemites from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque, putting them on a black list and imposing a security ban on their entry to the Old City and Al-Aqsa.
By emptying Al-Aqsa Mosque from its worshipers and staff, the Israeli occupation authorities seek to create a suitable atmosphere for settlers to practice their rituals and hideous plans against the Mosque.
In a dangerous precedent, over the past week, Al-Aqsa guards detected a burning object approaching the shrine and the Dome of the Rock, fired from the Al-Buraq Wall, where extremist settlers have an increasingly strong presence.
Al-Aqsa guards told the PIC that the fire balloon was launched from Al-Buraq Wall towards the Dome of the Rock.
This is the first incident of its kind in which fire balloons were flown to target sanctuaries in Occupied Jerusalem. In other new incidents, drones were recently spotted taking photos of the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque.
However, it is not the first time that Al-Aqsa Mosque was the target of an arson attack by Israeli settlers.
On August 21, 1969, an Australian fanatic Jew, Denis Michael Rohan, entered Al-Aqsa Mosque from Al-Guanameh Gate and set fire to it.
At the time, the fire broke out in the eastern wing of the chapel on the southern side of Al-Aqsa Mosque. The fire reached the façades of the Mosque, its ceiling, carpets, rare decorations and the furniture and copies of holy Quran.
The fire also engulfed the historic pulpit of the Mosque, which was brought by Salah al-Din from the city of Aleppo, when Muslims restored the city of Jerusalem in 1187. The pulpit had been a beautiful landmark, as Sultan Nur al-Din Zanki ordered preparing it to be sent to Al-Aqsa after the liberation of the Mosque.
It was found that the incendiary substance was poured from inside and outside the chapel.
A serious incident
The Director of Al-Aqsa Mosque, Omar al-Kiswani told the Palestinian Information Center: “This is a dangerous incident, the source of which is Israeli extremists, and it will not pass unnoticed.”
He explained that these incidents are staged by Israeli extremists, adding: “We informed the Israeli police, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Jordan and its embassy, in addition to the Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf.”
A fierce onslaught
He noted that “The fierce onslaught against the city of Jerusalem has increased since the announcement of the US administration of its plan to transfer its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.”
He added that “the occupation authorities carry out an integrated plan to impose sovereignty over Al-Aqsa Mosque by force,” pointing out that it expels worshipers and arrests employees during the storming of Al-Aqsa by extremist settlers.”
Exiling employees and worshipers
The Israeli occupation authorities have recently banished more than 12 staff members of Al-Aqsa Mosque guards and staff for a period ranging from one to eight months.
According to PIC follow-up, the most prominent figures the Israeli authorities prevented from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque include: Rami al-Fakhouri, Mahmoud Abd al-Latif, Jihad Qaws, Rawhi al-Qulagasi, Raed al-Zaghir, Abu al-Thaer and Shadi Matar, who were barred from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque for six months, while Hamza al-Zaghir, Hussam Sidr, Mu'min Hashim, Jamil al-Abbasi and Yacoub al-Dabbagh were barred from the Mosque for three months.
Al-Kiswani called for increasing presence at Al-Aqsa Mosque to resist the Israeli incursions.
He stressed that prayer and presence are means of steadfastness to confront the Israeli attacks against Al-Aqsa.
Sharp increase
The Jerusalem Center for Israeli and Palestinian Studies said that Israeli settlers intensified their incursions into Al-Aqsa during the month of August (2018), with some 2,841 settlers entering its backyards, including Israeli intelligence, military personnel and students of the alleged temple.
According to a report, 2,247 settlers stormed Al-Aqsa in August, including 337 Israeli special forces and 67 Israeli intelligence agents, while 190 students from the so-called Students of the Temple group stormed Al-Aqsa courtyards.
According to the Jerusalem Center, 41,206 tourists entered Al-Aqsa during August.
In mid-August, Israeli occupation forces stormed Al-Aqsa courtyards and arrested six female worshipers from its yards. They later released them on condition that they are banned from the Mosque for varying periods.
The occupation authorities continue to deprive dozens of Jerusalemites from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque, putting them on a black list and imposing a security ban on their entry to the Old City and Al-Aqsa.
5 oct 2018
Israeli soldiers resorted, Friday, to the excessive use of force against the weekly nonviolent procession against the Annexation Wall and Colonies in Bil’in village, west of the central West Bank city of Ramallah, wounding many protesters, and burning olive trees.
The Popular Committee against the Wall and Colonies in Bil’in said many Palestinians, accompanied by Israeli and international peace activists, marched from the center of the village, heading towards the olive orchards in Abu Lemon area, near the illegal wall, before the soldiers fired a barrage of gas bombs and concussion grenades at them.
Many protesters suffered the effects of teargas inhalation, and received the needed treatment.
The Israeli gas bombs and concussion grenades also caused fires in Palestinian orchards in the area, burning many olive trees.
The soldiers, stationed on military towers on the Annexation Wall, photographed the protesters, and prevented many Palestinians and international peace activists from entering the orchards to pick the olive trees, isolated behind the Wall.
Dr. Rateb Abu Rahma, the coordinator of the Popular Committee in Bil’in, said the protesters marched carrying Palestinian flags, and chanting for national unity, the release of all detainees and the Right of Return of the refugees.
He also called on constant solidarity with the al-Khan al-Ahmar Bedouin community, facing demolition and displacement by Israel for the illegal construction and expansion of colonies.
The Popular Committee against the Wall and Colonies in Bil’in said many Palestinians, accompanied by Israeli and international peace activists, marched from the center of the village, heading towards the olive orchards in Abu Lemon area, near the illegal wall, before the soldiers fired a barrage of gas bombs and concussion grenades at them.
Many protesters suffered the effects of teargas inhalation, and received the needed treatment.
The Israeli gas bombs and concussion grenades also caused fires in Palestinian orchards in the area, burning many olive trees.
The soldiers, stationed on military towers on the Annexation Wall, photographed the protesters, and prevented many Palestinians and international peace activists from entering the orchards to pick the olive trees, isolated behind the Wall.
Dr. Rateb Abu Rahma, the coordinator of the Popular Committee in Bil’in, said the protesters marched carrying Palestinian flags, and chanting for national unity, the release of all detainees and the Right of Return of the refugees.
He also called on constant solidarity with the al-Khan al-Ahmar Bedouin community, facing demolition and displacement by Israel for the illegal construction and expansion of colonies.
3 oct 2018
Jewish settlers, on Wednesday, set a Palestinian house on fire, in Hebron’s old town, according the Hebron Reconstruction Committee.
The Committee said, according to WAFA, that the settlers set fire to the house of Izeddin Sharabati, which is located in a military area near the settlement of Abraham Avino, in the heart of the old town.
The Sharabati family had lived in the four-apartment building for many years until they were forced to leave it, due to continued harassment by the settlers who used to threw rocks at the house. It has remained empty since then.
The Committee said, according to WAFA, that the settlers set fire to the house of Izeddin Sharabati, which is located in a military area near the settlement of Abraham Avino, in the heart of the old town.
The Sharabati family had lived in the four-apartment building for many years until they were forced to leave it, due to continued harassment by the settlers who used to threw rocks at the house. It has remained empty since then.
30 sept 2018
At least seven Palestinians were shot and injured by the Israeli occupation forces in the blockaded Gaza Strip at nightfall Sunday.
A PIC news correspondent said Israeli soldiers fired heavy barrages of gunfire at peaceful protesters taking part in overnight rallies east of the Bureij refugee camp, Central al-Amaghazi, Khuza’a, and Jabalia.
Two injured youths have reportedly been in a critical condition.
Gaza’s overnight protesters pledged to fire incendiary kites and balloons on Israeli settlements near Gaza’s border in response to Israel’s simmering aggressions against unarmed protesters.
A PIC news correspondent said Israeli soldiers fired heavy barrages of gunfire at peaceful protesters taking part in overnight rallies east of the Bureij refugee camp, Central al-Amaghazi, Khuza’a, and Jabalia.
Two injured youths have reportedly been in a critical condition.
Gaza’s overnight protesters pledged to fire incendiary kites and balloons on Israeli settlements near Gaza’s border in response to Israel’s simmering aggressions against unarmed protesters.
27 sept 2018
Seven fires erupted, on Wednesday, in Israeli communities surrounding the besieged Gaza Strip due to the launch of incendiary kites and balloons from Gaza.
Hebrew-language news outlets reported that since Wednesday afternoon seven fires erupted due to the continuous launch of incendiary balloons from Gaza into southern Israel.
Israeli firefighting crews managed to control the flames and later extinguish them; the fires caused serious material damage.
Earlier this month, Israeli farmers from Israeli communities surrounding the besieged Gaza Strip announced that they will be filing a lawsuit against the Hamas movement leaders before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague.
The lawsuit will be filed for violating international laws, including the launch of incendiary kites and balloons resulting in burning hundreds of dunams of open fields.
Palestinians in Gaza view the incendiary kites as a form of protest against Israel's nearly 12-year blockade of Gaza and for Palestinian refugees right of return to their homes and lands which are now known as Israel.
Hebrew-language news outlets reported that since Wednesday afternoon seven fires erupted due to the continuous launch of incendiary balloons from Gaza into southern Israel.
Israeli firefighting crews managed to control the flames and later extinguish them; the fires caused serious material damage.
Earlier this month, Israeli farmers from Israeli communities surrounding the besieged Gaza Strip announced that they will be filing a lawsuit against the Hamas movement leaders before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague.
The lawsuit will be filed for violating international laws, including the launch of incendiary kites and balloons resulting in burning hundreds of dunams of open fields.
Palestinians in Gaza view the incendiary kites as a form of protest against Israel's nearly 12-year blockade of Gaza and for Palestinian refugees right of return to their homes and lands which are now known as Israel.
26 sept 2018
An Israeli settlement guard, Wednesday, set fire to Palestinian-owned agricultural land planted with olive trees in the town of al-Lubban al-Sharqiya, to the south of Nablus, in the northern occupied West Bank, said a local official.
The village mayor Samer Awais said, according to WAFA, that a security guard from the settlement of Eli, built illegally on Palestinian land, set ablaze four dunams of agricultural land located at the entrance of the town and adjacent to the Ramallah-Nablus road, burning dozens of olive trees.
The town residents and with the help of fire crews were able to put out the fire, he said.
The village mayor Samer Awais said, according to WAFA, that a security guard from the settlement of Eli, built illegally on Palestinian land, set ablaze four dunams of agricultural land located at the entrance of the town and adjacent to the Ramallah-Nablus road, burning dozens of olive trees.
The town residents and with the help of fire crews were able to put out the fire, he said.
